Determination of fault morphology of Antakya-Kahramanmaraş depression area by using methods of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Abstract

Antakya-Kahramanmaraş depression has nearly 180 – 200km length and 5 – 40km width. Research area is located on the Eastern of the East Mediterranean. There are many studies that have been carried out in this area. These studies are mostly geological and some of them have been made in terms of physical and human geography. This area has a great variety of morphological characteristics. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) methods are very useful in morphological researches. Many morphological studies have been carried out recently by using these technologies. In this study, fault morphology was investigated by using GIS and RS technologies. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Landsat TM Satellite images with 7 bands of different dates were used as main data in this study and many analyses were applied to these data. Firstly, faults were determined by DEM and correlated to existent faults on the geological maps. Subsequently, the relationships between faults and drainage were emphasized. Consequently, fault morphology of area was interpreted through analysis. This study is a preliminary work on geomorphological features of the region. Fault morphology of the region will be obtained through detailed studies. Morphological studies are very important for the planning of this region, especially the densely populated places in this depression. In addition, due to the morphological variety in Antakya-Kahramanmaraş depression and its surroundings, there are many economic activities going on here.